Sheet leveler



July 31, 1934. J. M, GUTHRIE 1,968,389

SHEET LEVELER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed May 27. 1932 INVENTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN FOR J. M. GUTHRIE July 31, 1934.

SHEET LEVELER Original Filed May 27, 1932 Patented July 31, 1934 SHEET LEVELEB James M. Guthrie, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Sutton Engineering Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 27, 1932, Serial No. 613,935 Renewed December 22, 1933 This invention relates to a machine for leveling or flattening metallic sheets. the invention is directed to a roll arrangement which is particularly, although not exclusively,

- adapted for such machine.

It is realized that to obtain the most efficient operation of a leveling machine the sheet-engaging rolls must be organized in close center-t0- center arrangement. It is sometimes desirable that such rolls be ofrelatively small diameter. say a diameter as small as one inch and a half, or less. The rolls are in some cases 60 inches or more in length, so it will be understood that in service the rolls tends to bow under the reaction of the sheets being flattened. Accordingly, the

problem is to provide reinforcement or backing for the working rolls, and, in providing such reinforcement, to permit of their organization in close center-to-center arrangement.

:. The object of my invention is to solve this problem. I aim to provide a sheet-leveling machine which is readily adjustable, eflicient in service,

and economical to construct.

A machine embodying the invention is illusftrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. I shows the machine, partly in side elevation and partly in central vertical section, and Fig. 11

shows the machine in plan from above, and to smaller scale.

30.5 The machine comprises a frame including two opposite bed members 1a and 1b, upon which are organized upper frame elements 2a and 2b respectively. In the opposite bed members 1a and 1b a lower train of sheet-flexing rolls w is trun- 'nioned, and in the frame elements 2a and 2b an upper train w of sheet-flexing rolls is borne. The upper and lower rolls w, w are staggered, as indicated in Fig. I; the two trains of rolls provide between them a passage through which a sheet S .(Fig. II) of metal is passed, and during such passage the sheet is flexed to and fro, with respect to the plane of its expanse. The flexing of the sheet'is beyond the elastic limit of the metal, and accordingly, dents, bows, and other irregularities are removed from the sheets and the sheets conditioned for use.

For convenience I term the rolls w, w the workengaging rolls, and in this case all of the workengaging rolls are positively rotated. Conveniently, the journals w" of the rolls are connected by universal couplings 3 (Fig. 11) to the driving stems 4 of a gear box 5. The gear box may be connected in familiar manner to a motor or engine, the provision of the gear box and motor being a matter for the engineer. So, the rolls are More specifically powerfully rotated, to move a sheet over the lower train and under the upper train of rolls, in the direction of the arrows in the drawings.

It will be understood that the work-engaging rolls are usually of relatively small diameter, and, as shown in Fig. I, the work-engaging rolls in each train are joumaled in close center-to-center arrangement. It has been found that the workengaging rolls must be so reinforced or supported as to prevent them from bowingv laterally into contact with one another, and also to prevent them from bending outward, away from the sheet being straightened. My invention includes a system of reinforcing rolls which is particularly effective to the end in .view. Between successive work-engaging rolls (w, w) in each train, I organize relatively small rolls r, and I employ large backing rolls B to support pairs of rolls r. It will be perceived that the rolls r are thus backed by sturdy supports (rolls B) so that the work-engag- I5 1 ing rolls w, w are reinforced against bending or bowing along their axes. The reinforced rolls 1' serve both as lateral spacing and as supportingor immediate backing means for the work-engaging rolls w. w.

The work-engaging rolls (to, 10') at the end of each train are outwardly supported by large rolls R, so that all the rolls (w, w) of each train are securely supported against the forces produced upon them during service. Manifestly, the group of inter-engaging rolls :0, r, B, R is so organized that the rotation produced by the driven rolls to is harmonious to all the rolls of the group.

The rolls B and R associated with the upper train are revolubly borne by the upper frame elements 2a, 2b, while the lower rolls B and R are borne by the bed members of the machine. I contemplate that the work-engaging rolls in, w and the backing rolls may, by means of adjustable bearings known to the art, be severally ad- Justable in the frame of the machine. Additionally, I provide for group adjustment. That is to say, the upper frame elements 2a, 2b are each secured to the bed members 1a, 1b of the machine by means of a'pair of shafts 8. The shafts 6 are threaded for engagement with nut blocks 7 in the bed members. Compression springs 8 are organized at each end of the frame elements 2a, 2b and conveniently are positioned upon the shafts 6; the springs 8 bear upon the bed members and yieldingly support the upper frame elements 2a, 2b of the machine, together with the rolls carried by such frame elements. Fixed to the upper end of each shaft 6 is a worm gear 9, and two cross shafts 10 carry at or adjacent their ends worms 11,

severally in mesh with the respective worm gears 9, as indicated in Fig. H. Hand wheels 12 are secured to the shafts 1o, whereby joint rotation of worm gears 9 and shafts 6 may be efiected, to produce, in co-operation with springs d, the adjust= merit of frame elements 211, 2b with respect to bed members 1a, lb. So, group adjustment of the upper train of rolls may be effected relatively to the lower train. It may be added, that co-operating guide blocks 13 and 14 are integrated respectively with the relatively adjustable frame members of the machine, to prevent during a sheetleveling operation, the shifting of the upper frame elements with respect to the bed members.

I claim as my invention:

1. A roll arrangement comprising the combination of a plurality of work-engaging rolls, spacing and supporting rolls between successive workengaging rolls, and a backing roll revolubly engaging two of said spacing and supporting rolls.

2. A roll arrangement comprising the combination of a plurality of upper work-engaging rolls, spacing and supporting rolls between successive work-engaging rolls, and a backing roll revolubly engaging two of said spacing and supporting rolls,

together with a plurality of lower work-engaging rolls co-operating rolls.

3. A roll arrangement comprising the combination of an upper train of work-engaging rolls and an opposed, co-operating, lower train of work-enwith said upper work-engaging incense gaging rolls, each of said trains including spacing and supporting rolls between successive workengaging rolls, and a backing roll revolubly engaging successive spacing and supporting rolls.

4. A sheet-leveling machine comprising the combination of a frame revolubly supporting a lower train or work-engaging rolls, an upper train of work-engaging rolls opposed to said lower train, spacing and supporting rolls between adjacent work-engaging rolls in said trains or rolls, and backing rolls revolubly engaging pairs or said spacing and supporting rolls.

5. A sheet-leveling machine comprising the combination of a frame revolubly supporting a lower train of work-engaging rolls, an upper train of work-engaging rolls opposed to and adjustable relatively to said lower train, spacing and supporting rolls between successive work-engaging rolls in each train, and backing rolls revolubly engaging successive spacing and supporting rolls in each train.

6. A sheet-leveling machine comprising the combination of a frame revolubly supporting a train 0! lower work-engaging rolls, an upper train of work-engaging rolls opposed to said lower train of rolls, each train of rolls including spacing and supporting rolls of relatively small diameter between successive work-engaging rolls, and backing rolls of relatively large diameter revolubly engaging pairs oi. said spacing and supporting rolls.

JAMES M. GUTHRIE. 

